Cauterizing instrument and electrode



Feb. 28, 1933. F. c. WAPPLER 0 CAUTERIZING INSTRUMENT AND ELECTRODE Filed July 15, 1931 INVENTOR Fwy-aw WM; amwlo 1 ATTORNE Patented Feb. 28, 1933 FREDERICK CHARLES WAPPLER, OF YORK, N. Y.

CAUTERIZING INSTRUMENT AND ELECTRODE Application filed July 15,

My present invention relates generally to surgical instruments, and has particular reference to a cauterizing instrument and an electrode therefor.

It is a general object of my invention to provide an improved and simplified instrument of the type wherein an operative cauterizing loop is supported at the forward end of an electrode adapted to be removably and interchangeably associated with a suitable handle.

A more particular object is to provide an instrument, and es ecially an electrode, which is of improved rigidity and firmness, which is conveniently manipulated (especially during the application and removal of the electrode from the handle), which is extremely simple in structural characteristics and hence relatively inexpensive to manufacture and staunch andreliable inuse, and which is devoid of the disadvantages accruing to those types of instruments or constructions wherein insulating material is subjected during the course of time to the damaging effects of the heat generated at the operative loop.

he advantages of my present invention will be more fully appreciated when it is borne in mind that the operative loop, of uninsulated and conductive metal, must be conveniently supported at the forward end of a relatively long or extended electrode, so that the latter may be inserted into the body as, for example, through the nose or similar body cavity. Electric current must be transmitted to the operative loop to enable the latter to function; and where the loop is mounted upon a pair of conductive rods or the like, these rods must be kept and retained in insulated condition so as to avoid a short-circuit and permit the current to flow through the operative loop in the contemplated manner.

Furthermore, it must be borne in mind that the electrode when used, becomes hot and, therefore, dimcult to handle, yet it must be removable and interchangeable with other electrodes so far as association with a control handle is concerned. Attempts to support the operative loop 1931. Serial No. 551,030.

upon a air of twisted wires or rods necessitates t at the rods be insulated through their length (as, for example, by enamel). This is not only a diificult and relatively expensive procedure, but it positions the insulating material in close proximity with the operative loop and thereby subjects it to the deleterious effects of the heat that is generated. Merely providing for spacers between the conductive supporting rods usually necessitates that the rods be shaped halfrounded, which is relatively expensive, and further requires that the rods be bound together b some sort of medium.

One 0 the main features of my present invention lies in providing a bracing means for a pair of entirely uninsulated and purely round supporting rods, the bracing means being in its entirety disposed remote from the operative loop and serving in an extremely simple and efficient manner to retain the rods in fixed, spaced, and insulated relationship and to afford a convenient finger grip remote from the hot operative end of the electrode.

A further feature of my invention lies in providing a complementary handle with which electrodes may be interchangeably used, the handle being provided with a similar type of bracing means in combination with a pair of spaced, uninsulated, projecting terminals, preferably tubular.

The bracing means which I have found to be especially applicable for my present purposes, and which I have herein illustrated and shall hereinafter describe as one preferred embodiment of my invention, consists essentially of one or more, and preferably two, spaced discs of rigid insulating material, each disc securely engaging the two rods or terminals which are to be held in fixed relationship.

Other objects and advantages lie in the partic ular arrangement of those parts which are associated with the electrode and with the means for removably applying the electrode to a handle.

I achieve the foregoing objects and ad vantages, and such other objects and ad vantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective View of an electrode of the present character shown in operative association with a handle, the rear portion of which has been omitted since it forms no essential part of my invention;

'Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1, partly in section, and with parts broken away for the sake of clearness;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially'along theline 33 of Figure 2; and V v 7 Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 21' The electrode 1 have illustrated. in the drawing comprises an operative loop 10 supported by a pair of spaced, substantially parallel conducting rods 11 and 12, these rods being of any suitable metalmreferably brass, or any other suitable conductive material and r flaring outwardly near their rear ends, as indicated at 13. Rearwardly of the fiared portions 13, the rods proceed in parallel, spaced relationship, and the rear ends thereof are free and are adapted to beremovably inserted into a pair of spaced, tubular terminals 14 and 15 which form part of the supporting handle.

In accordance with my invention, a pair of bracing discs 16 and 17 are arranged in spaced, substantially parallel, transverse planes perpendicular to the rods 11 and 12,

and engaging the rods near the rear ends of the latter and hence remote from the operative loop 10. Each of the discs 16 and 17 is substantially elliptical, as shown most clearly in Figure 4, and is of rigid insulating material such as vulcanized fiberor other suitable insulating composition. Each disc is provided with a pair of spaced holes which are arranged at approximately the foci of the ellipse, and each hole permits the snug passage therethrough of one of the rods 11 $101 12. In fact, the discs fit onto the rear ends of the rods s0 snugly that whenthey are jammed into the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rods are rigidly retained in frictional engagement with the discs so that'all of the parts are incapable of separation exceptby the use of tools or other application .of excessive force.

By arranging a pair of discs in the spaced relationship illustrated and described near ing means constituted by the discs 16 and 17 is disposed rearwardly and remote from the operative loop 10 and none of the heat that is generated at the loop 10 can have any disastrous life-impairing effects upon the insulating discs 16 and 17.

Furthermore, it is to be noted that twist ing of wires or rods is entirely avoided, as is the use of mica, silk, or other relatively expensive insulating materials or expedients. The rods are entirely round and are therefore relatively inexpensive to produce, and they are nevertheless held in firm and proper spaced relationship at all times.

It is further to be noted that the discs 16 and 17 are arranged in planes which'are spaced just sufficiently to permit the two peripheriesof the discs 16 and 17 to afford a convenient finger grip. 'For example, the

electrode may be handled, as in removing it from the handle, by applying the thumb and forefinger to opposite'edges of the discs 16and l7 and when'this is done no contact is necessitated between thefingers and the rods 11 and 12; Accordingly, the handling.

of the electrode is greatly facilitated despite the fact that the rods may become heated or may, by accident, be transmitting a current insulating washer 26, an exterior metallic washer 27, and a Wingnut28. 1 Integrally formed upon the disc 21 is the hollow or tubular conductive terminal ,15, and similarly formed upon the disc 24 is the similar terminal '14. The slot in the disc 21 is aligned with the bore of the terminal .15, and the slot in the disc 24 is aligned with the bore in the terminal 14.

In accordance with my present invention,

the terminals 14 and 15iare retained in fixed,

spaced relationship by means of a pair of insulating bracing discs 29 and 30 similar in shape, function, and mode of operation to the discs 16Iand 17 previously described.

When the device is used, the wing nut 28 is slightly loosened, as a result of which the insulating washer 26 moves slightly away from the disc 24, while a-similar fissure is provided between the discs 19and 21. The thumb and forefinger of one hand are then applied to the peripheries of the discs 29 and 30 to hold the. terminals 14 and 15 in position to receive the rear ends of the electrode to be applied, The thumb and forefinger of the other hand then, grasp the desired electrode, as at the discsl6 wand 17 of the the rods into the terminals and into the relative portions of the drawing. The extreme rear ends of the rods are slightly attenuated and work their way into the slots provided in the discs 21 and 24, as shown most clearly in Figure 3. The angularity of projection of the electrode is then adjusted, as desired, the bolt 20 serving as a pivot axis; and the wing nut 28 is then tightened. This places the rod 11 in electrical contact with the disc 24 and hence with the enlarged disc 23; and it places the rod 12 in electrical connection with the discs 21 and 19. The latter disc extends into the handle 18 and is connected therein to one terminal of a source of current; The other terminal of the current source is connected, within the handle 18, to a multiple contact member 31 secured, as at 32, and provided with the insulated pressure knob 33. The contact member 31 is resilient and is normally in the position of Figure 1, but when the knob 33 is depresed contact is established between the member 31 and the enlarged disc 23, thereby completing an electrical circuit through the operative loop 10.

In removing the electrode, it is merely necessary to loosen the nut 28 in a slight degree and the electrode may then be grasped at the peripheries of the discs 16 and 17, the rear ends of the rods 11 and 12 being then withdrawn from the terminals 14 and 15.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an extremely simple yet staunch and expedient device which fulfills the desired functions in an efficient and reliable manner, and wherein the handling and manipulation of parts and the method of assembly and disassembly during use are greatly facilitated and expedited.

It will be obvious that changes in the details herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claim. It is therefore intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is In a cautery electrode, an operative loop, a pair of uninsulated, substantially parallel, spaced, elongated conducting rods supporting said loop at their forward ends, said rods being arranged in close proximity to each other so as to be insertable as a unit into a body cavity, the rear ends of the rods diverging into slightly increased, parallel spatial relationship, and a pair of insulating discs of rigid material engaging said rods near the rear ends of the latter to hold them in fixed, spaced relationship, said discs being arranged in parallel planes perpendicular to said rods and spaced just sufficiently to per- 

